These are mostly intended to go either to the mishu themselves or to the hybrids and the thralls, could you see mishu using 'harness' systems on their carapaces to directly mount weapons tapped into their nervous systems?
I don't believe this has its niche. Mishhu elites have their own power suits which likely bridge that (they were on the wiki once, but I can't find them). They can already carry easily four weapons with them in the number of tentacles they have too (well, classic Mishhu did, anyways); plastering weapons on their shells reduces their ability to aim them independantly considerably.
Going back to the NH-25, do any of you think it reasonable that they would be able to fully conceal their tentacles as human looking legs? If the extra mass/matter is a concern, it could all just go to their boobs when they've shape-shifted like this.
I don't think the NH-25 needs tweaking, and would argue vehemently in disfavor of that if this ever became pushed. Besides, NH-27 were capable of hemosynthetically forming battle tentacles from HS ports on each sides of their abdomen just from their blood/nodal storage. I don't think the leg-to-tentacle volume is much of a concern, not to mention swelling can also be a factor hinting at more volume for less mass.
Well Nightmare is made in a way so it was capable to go toe to toe with Samurais. So I guess Hybrids will be a bit less tough? Basically a nromal neko with some mishu stuff attached? Some chiting, tentacles, sharp teeth, dunno.
Probably not. They're based off the NH-17, and that's some Old Strength there, so I reason they'd be on par with a Samurai but have the edge due to having so many limbs I believe.
What Cadetnewb said. The NH-25 is an improvement on the NH-17, just like the NH-27 was an improvement on the same. The NH-25 narratively seemed to have an edge on a PC-controlled NH-27, similar strength and stealth, some psionics and the ability to have a lot more limbs with a toxin that could lay a NH-27 down flat after a few stings. PCs have considered the NH-25 a non-trivial threat, though in truth the best a NH-25 can prove is 'troublesome' - there's no standing up to anti-armor weaponry for them.
The NH-25 Pumpkin (Sakura plot) had a few tricks, but most of her means of attack were the same as any other nekos aside from her resistance to stun bolts. Her stealth counte for a lot more than anything else in my interaction with her - there was no catching her. Her tentacles were a threat, but they never actually delivered - I think the most significant part was how it help her manipulate/carry things. Being able to float around all the time also hints at anti-gravity control which can be sustained longer than other nekos.
The NH-25 Eve youngling's (Miharu plot) main highlight was her significant psionic powers. The was more unique to the character than the NH-25. All the NH-25 provided was the potential to be a psionic combattant. (considering the toning down of psionics on this site and how my plots were supposed to be the last holdovers of psionic as I got rid of most of them; it'd be potential seldom to never seen).
Another NH-25, Ume, wrapped her upper torso in a "tentacle coccoon" to protect herself from a nearby power armor firefight - so the expectation is that the tentacles can be tougher against harm (and more expendable) than the upper body.
Though since time flies, by now wouldn't there by hybrids of NH29 and 33 as well?
Not likely. The NMX are largely unrelated to the NH-25 and likely have next to no contact with the TNE like some elements (Melisson's former fleet) have with them. The closest they would come is if an NMX neko soldier did not perform and was punished, transfered to the fate of becoming a portable food supply/incubator for the SMX.
Unlike other Neko, I believe the Hybrids can reproduce at the same pace as a Mishhu given their various reproductive organs as some RP has suggested.
As far as I could tell - and my interpretation supports that - NH-25 aren't egglayers. Their legs/tentacles are versatile limbs, but they likely have nothing to do with the womb, nor would the neko have the space/room to have multiple youngling 'eggs' and then push them through tentacles. All the NH-25 get are retractable stingers.
This said, I think that while the NH-25 hybrid has her advantages, she's still basically a mishhutaur - a neko upperbody with shapechanging leg/tentacles. The Nightmare type by contrast is a neko-shaped Neo Mishhu and it's pretty much purpose-made for combat.